Clamping electrode



" Aug. 23, 1927. Y V I 1,640,061

r R. H. WAPPLER CLAMPING ELECTRODE Filed July 1924 :Fml

lsunz INVENTOR fin/W010 ll MPH/5R ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 23, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REINI-IOLD H. WAPPLER, OF YONKE-RS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WAPPLER ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

oLAMrme Emcrnona.

Application filed my 2,

My invention relates to clamping electrodes in which a pair of strong plates of conducting material are so mounted and ar-. ranged as to serve not only as electrodes but also as clamps, the device as a whole belng adapted to support itself in. position by clinging directly upon the anatomical part to be treated. I

My device is of the general type examphfied in my pending application Serial No.

I 649,464, filed July5, 1923; for patent upon an electrode clamp.

The object of my invention is to provide a clamping electrode suitable for various medical and therapeutical uses, and suitable for use in connection with high frequency currents as well as with ordinary galvanic and faradic currents, the device as a whole having a number of advantages, and being adapted for use in many different ways, as hereinafter more completely described.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. and in which like reference characters indicate like I parts throughout the several figures.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my device.

Figure 2 is aside elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a section on the. line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective of one ofthe electrodes.

Figure 5 is a perspective of a clamping rod forming a part of my device.

Figure 6 is a diagram indicating how a number of my imp oved clamping electrodes may be connected together and energized practically as a unit.

A pair of metallic plates are shown at 6 and 7 and may be of any convenient sizes and shapes. the plate 6 inthis instance being considerably wider than the plate These plates serve the double purpose of electrodes'and clamping plates. They are provided respectively with portions 8 and 9. each of arcuate form in cross section, and each provided with a slot 10 as may be understood from Figure 4.

For the purpose of supporting the plates 6 and 7, the portions 8 and 9, thereof are for holding these yokes together.

1924. Serial No. 723,656.

fitted neatly against a pair of clamping bars 11, each of the form indicated in Figure 5.

Each clamping bar 11 is provided with a pair of slots 12, and with a pair of holes 13 into which these slots merge. Each clamping bar 11 is further provided with a pair of axially disposed pin holes 14, merging into the slots 12 and the holes 13. A cord tip 15 may be detachably fitted into either of the pin holes 14, so as to connect a conducting cord 16 with the clamping bar 1], as. indicated in Figures 2 and 3. Thus the ends of the clamping bar 11 serve practically as binding posts, and enable one or more conducting cords to be detachably connected with either clamping bar 11. For holding each clamping bar 11 in position, I provide it with a hole 17 extending diametrically through it, and through this hole I extend a clamping screw 18, this screw engaging and projecting from a block 19 of in.- sulating material and being provided with a thumb nut 20. Y

V The portions 8 and 9 of the two plates 6 and 7 are engaged by gripping blocks 21. each gripping block being for this purpose provided with a gripping surface 22, preferably milled or serrated as shown- A pair. of metallic handle members 23 and 24 engage'the blocks 19 of insulating material, and also engage a pair of yokes 25 and 26, as indicated more particularly in Figures 1 and 3. A bolt 27 serves as a coupler 7 This bolt is provided with a head 28 and carries arevoluble nut 29. A spiral spring 30 is wound helically around the bolt 27 and is provided with apair of projecting end portions 31 and 32., The spring 30 is always under tension, so that the projecting end portions 31 and 32 are always pressing against the ad jacent handle members 23 and 24, thetendency of the spring being to force the handle members in opposite directions, as may he understood from Figure 1.

By means of screws 34 each block 19 of insulating material is held in proper relation to the adjacent handle member and yoke, as indicated more particularly in Figure3.

Theoperatoriby turning the thumb nuts can loosen the gripping blocks 21, and this done he can turn or swing the plates 6 and 7 into new positions, and then by tightening the thumb nuts 20 the plates 6 and 7 will be retained in such new positions. Each time the operator thus moves one of the plates 6 or 7 relatively to the clamping bar 11 with which it is associated, the curved portion 8 is simply moved bodily a slight distance relatively to the clan'iping bar 11. For this purpose the slot 10, through which the screw 18 extends, is of sufficient length to enable the adjustment to take place notwithstanding the presence of the screw 18.

'lhus the operator can in a very few seconds adjust the plates 6v and 7 so that in =11 normal positions, with -the device not active use, these plates will be either in close proximity to each other, or relatively wide apart, or in any intermediate position between these two extremes. In this manner the plates 6 and 7 can be adapted for fitting neatly upon anatomical members of different sizes and forms, as for instances an arm, a leg, or the neck of a patient.

In Figure 5 I show two of my improved clamping electrodes connected in parallel with each other by means of conducting cords l6 and a conductor This arrangement is convenient in instances where it is desirable to treat two or more anatomical parts at the same time and with single source of electric current. It frequently happens, forv instance, that two different portions of an arm or a leg can be treated, or that an arm and a leg of the same patient can be treated, in the manner thus indicated.

As may be noted from Figures 1 and 3 the yoke 36 is provided with corner portions 26, and that the adjacent portions of the yoke lodge against these corner portions. The result. of this arrangement is that the yokes 25 and 26. mutually act as limiting stops each for the other, so that with the spring tending to force the'handle members 23 and 24 apart and thus to rock the yokes 25, 26 upon the bolt 27 as a center, the yokes 25 and 26 mutually lock each other, so that the handle members 23 and 2d assume and. remain in the relative positions indicated for them in Figure 1. With the barn dle members occupying" the positions. here contemplated the two clamping bars 11 and the parts supporting the same are held som ewhat rigidly in position. Such being the case the operator, by loosening the thumb nuts 20, can shift the plates 6 and 7 into different angular positions relatively to each other, but without disturbing the relative positions of the clamping bars 11 or other parts; and by tightening the clamping nuts 20 can secure the plates in their new positions.

- Thus the plates 6 and 7 can in one instance be brought rather closely together and so adapted to fit upon a wrist, for instance, and can in another instance be spaced widely apart and adapted to be fitted, say, upon a leg or a neck. I

After the plates 6 and 7 have been adjusted as above described, the handle members 23 and 2t can be grasped and forced toward each other, whereupon the YOliS 27 and 26 are rocked. so that the plates (3 and 7 are mored further apart, but against the tension of'the spring 30. The hand pressure upon the handle members and 2 l being now relaxed, the yokes and 26, under tension of the spring 30, are. rocked into such relative positions that the plates 6 and 7' engage firmly and press gently upon the anatomical member to which they are applied;

As may be. understood from Figure 3, either end of the clamping bar 11 can be used as a binding post for the purpose of supporting a cord tip 15. Such being the case, there are practically two binding posts for each plate 6 and 7, and these two/binding posts are so located as to, facilitate the connection of a conducting cord upon either side of the clamping plate; that is, either the right or the left according to Figure 3. This enables my device to be applied to an anatomical part regardless of any special position to be occupied by the plates or by any other parts of the apparatus, in order to facilitate the connection of the conducting cord or cords. In other words, no matter how the device may be positioned the operator can always find at least one. binding post available for use in supplying electric currents to the plates.

I do not limit myself to the precise meclr anism shown, as variation may be made therein without departing from my invention, the scope of which is commensurate with. my claims.

Having thus described my in rention, what I claim as new and desire to secure or I ters Patent is as follows 1. A clamping electrode comprisin of plates made of conducting mate having proper form, to serve as clan" plates and, also as electrodes, spring me nism connected with said. plates for tomatically forcing them toward each ot means controllable by the operator fer moving said plates apart in opposit'on to said springmechanism. and mechanism connected with said, plates and'controllabi-e h the operator for adjusting one of said pl relatively to the other, independently of spring mechanism.

2. A, clamping electrode comprising pair of plates each made of conducting mater and having proper formto serve as a clam, ing plate and. also an electrode, spring mechanism connected with said plates for automatically forcing them toward each other, handle members connected with said plates for enabling the operator to move them in opposition to said spring mecha nism, and a pair of s'eparateadjusting devices, one for each plate, said adjusting devices being controllable by the operator for adjusting said plates into diflerent positions relatively to each other, independently of said spring mechanism.

3. In a clamping electrode the combination of a pair of yokes connected together and journaled to rock relatively to each other, a block of insulating material carried by each of said yokes, a clamping bar mounted upon each block of insulating material, a plate engaging each clamping bar and made of conducting material, said plate having proper form to serve as an electrode and also as a clamping plate, and means for detachably connecting a conductor directly to\ said clamping bar.

4. In a clamping electrode the combination of a pair of yokes connected together and journaled to rock relatively to each other, a clamping bar supported by each yoke and insulated therefrom, said'clamping bar being formed to facilitate the transitory connection therewith of an electrical conductor, a pair of plates each made of conducting material and of proper form to serve the double purpose of an electrode and a clamping plate, and mechanism connected with each of said clamping bars and the plate carried thereby for enabling the operator to adjust the position of the plate relatively to the clamping bar.

5. A clamping electrode comprising a pair of clamping bars each provided with means for detachably connecting it directly with an electrical conductor in order to supply it with electric current, mechanism connected with said clamping bars for causing them to rock slightly in relation to each other, a pair of plates each provided with a portion fitting upon one of said clamping bars, said plates each being made of conducting material and having proper form to serve as an electrode and also as a clamping plate,

and gripping mechanism connected with each clamping block and with said portion of said plate engaging the same, for holding said plate in different positions of adjustment relative to the clamping bar.

6. A clamping electrode comprising a pair of yokes connected together and journaled to rock relatively to each other, a pair of handle members connected with said yokes for enabling the operator to rock said yokes in one direction, spring mechanism connected with said handle members for automatically rocking them in opposite directions, a pair of clamping bars supported by said yokes and insulated from each other, each clamping bar being formed to facilitate, the transient connection of an electrical conductor therewith, a pair of plates provided with portions fitted upon said clamping bars, each plate being made of conducting material and having proper form for use as an electrode and also as a clamping plate, :and gripping mechanism connected with each clamping bar and with the adjacent portion of said plate associated with said clamping bar, for enabling the operator to shift the position of either plate relatively to the clamping bar upon which it is mounted.

7. A device of the character described comprising a pair of yokes connected together and journaled to rock relatively to each other, a member of insulating material carried u' on each yoke, a plurality of screws connecte with each member of insulating material and extending therefrom into the yoke in order to hold the member of insulating material upon the yoke whereby it is carried, a clamping bar engaging each member of insulating material and provided with sprin portions to be engaged by cord tips in or er to supply electrlc currents to the clamping bar, said clamping bar being provided with holes for increasing the resiliency of said spring portions, said holes being in alinement with said screws for facilitating the removal and replacement thereof, and a pair of lates connected with said clamping bars, eac of said plates bein vmade of conducting material and forme to serve the double purpose of an electrode and a clamping plate.

8. A clamping electrode comprising a pair of plates made of conducting material and having proper form to serve as clamping plates and also as electrodes, spring mechanism connected with said plates for automatically shifting them relatively to each other, and a plurality of separate connecting devices carried by each of said plates for,

pair of plates made of conducting material 7 and having proper form to serve as clamping plates and also as electrodes, a pair of clamping bars engaging said plates respectively and insulated from each other, each clamping bar having two end portions pro 7 vided with connectors, and spring mechanism connected with said plates for shifting said plates relatively to each other.

11'. A clamping electrode comprising a pair 03E plates made of conducting maeterial and having proper form to serve as clamping plates and also as electrodes a pair 0f clamping bars each connected with one of said plates for supporting the same, each clamping bar having two oppositely disposed ends fashioned to serve as connectors for difi'enent eendnctors, and means for sup- ;porting said clamping bars so as ,to allow said plates ztO more relatively 1toneaeh other. Signed at New York, in the county 10f New York and $tate of New York, this 26th .day of J une, 1924.

REINHOLD H. WAPPLER. 

